HBA-EDN H.B. 2222 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2222
By: Jones, Jesse
Criminal Jurisprudence
3/22/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under federal law, protection is afforded against abuse, neglect, and
exploitation for an elderly individual, defined as an individual who is 60
years of age or older.  House Bill 2222 lowers the age of an elderly
individual to conform with federal law and increases penalties for crimes
committed against an elderly individual.   

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 2222 amends the Penal Code to increase penalties for certain
crimes committed against an elderly individual and lowers the age under the
definition of  "elderly individual" from 65 to 60 years of age or older.
The bill provides that a person commits: 

_a first degree felony if the person recklessly causes serious bodily
injury, serious mental deficiency, impairment, or injury to an elderly
individual; 

_a second degree felony if the person intentionally or knowingly causes
bodily injury to an elderly individual; or 

_a third degree felony if the person recklessly causes bodily injury or
acts with criminal negligence to cause serious bodily injury, serious
mental deficiency, impairment, injury, or bodily injury to an elderly
individual.   

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.